Sunday, August 11, 2013

Atheists Unite Alabamians in School Prayer

When the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) learned that Christians in Cullman County, Alabama planned a prayer caravan to each public school (during summer recess), they demanded it be cancelled because they said that it is unconstitutional for private citizens, who happen to be school employees, to join in prayer on school property.

"I personally believe that one of the problems we have in this country is taking God out of, not only our lives, but out of government. . . . people have the right to express their opinions on their beliefs."-- Gov. Robert Bentley, Alabama

The annual prayer caravan began three years ago with 10 to 15 people participating at each school. Saturday's caravan swelled in size after the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation tried to get it canceled.

"All denominations are here, and this has caused everyone to pull together more than ever before," said Jack Collins, director of missions for the Cullman Baptist Association.

Cullman County School Superintendent Billy Coleman said he started the caravan as a private citizen apart from his school duties. The county school board recently passed a resolution absolving it of any involvement.

The caravan visits every campus for a short prayer before the start of the school year, typically attracting between 10-50 people at each stop. But, after the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) contacted Coleman last month demanding the event be canceled, the caravan became a call to arms for local churches when he refused to call it off.

Prayers were led by community volunteers, with several local pastors stepping in to provide initial greetings and prayers focused on lifting up teachers, administrators and students.

“We’re here to pray for our schools and our leaders, not to fight a political battle,” Garden City First Baptist pastor Scott Arnold said.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said that a Wisconsin-based atheists group opposed to a Cullman County school district-wide prayer caravan prior to the fall semester is misinterpreting the First Amendment.

Superintendent Billy Coleman, who helped organize the caravan, received the complaint from the FFRF for his participation in the event a few weeks ago. His sponsorship, which he and his lawyer say is his right as a private citizen, previously included an announcement on the district's website, which has since been taken down.

Coleman held a press conference on Tuesday in which he said, "Christians have the same rights as anyone else to publicly express our beliefs on our own time, and to be afforded the same access to announcement channels as anyone else."